Beowulf became the ruler of the Spear-Danes and was beloved by all. He had
an heir, the great Halfdane, whose wisdom and sturdiness guided and
protected the people. Halfdane had three sons-Heorogar, Hrothgar, and
Halga-and a daughter, who married Onela and became queen of the Swedes.
Hrothgar was such a great warrior that men were eager to fight alongside
him. His army grew large. He decided to build an enormous hall, the largest
anyone had ever seen. From there, he would rule and give everything he could
to his people, except for land and his men’s lives. He brought in workmen
from all over the world, and his immense and noble hall was soon completed.
He named it Heorot. Once inside, he kept his promise to give gifts and
treasure to his people. But outside the towering walls of Heorot, death and
destruction waited. The day was coming when hatred and murder would return
to tear men apart. A demon stalked outside, and he could hardly stand the
sounds of music and singing that came from Heorot. The Spear Danes sang
about the origin of the world and the glory of the Almighty, who made them
and everything they saw. The people lived in happiness until the demon began
his evil work. The demon was named Grendel. He lived in the swamps nearby.
His Creator had banished him to live among the monsters of Cain’s family.
God had driven Cain out of the company of men after he murdered his brother
Abel. From Cain sprang a race of giants and elves and evil spirits. They
fought against God, though they had no chance of winning.